National Eating Disorder Information Centre (NEDIC) - Perspectiveshttp://nedic.ca/blog-categories/perspectives
en“I Told My Doctor I Had An Eating Disorder & He Tried To Put Me On A Diet.”http://nedic.ca/blog/%E2%80%9Ci-told-my-doctor-i-had-eating-disorder-he-tried-put-me-diet%E2%80%9D
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><img alt="medium_michelle rogers.png" src="/sites/default/files//beyond_images/medium_michelle%20rogers.png" style="height:120px; width:120px" /></p>
<p><strong>TRIGGER WARNING:</strong> the following material may be triggering for some individuals - please read with caution. </p>
<p>There is nothing I hate more than visiting the doctors—especially when you have to talk about the more touchier subjects. One of hardest things I've struggled with in the past is talking about my history with food. I’ve always been a bigger girl, and for some reason, within our society, there seems to be this sort of disbelief or misconception when it comes to fat women with eating disorders. So when I finally decided to talk about it with medical professionals, I didn't get the kind of reaction I had hoped for. After a couple minutes of discussing my past with eating and specifically binge eating, everything began to unfold. I’m crying because I’m being emotionally vulnerable, My twin sister is crying because when I cry she cries and vice versa, and I also feel this huge weight being taken off my shoulders as I continue to dive in and open up more. In my head, I’m thinking that things are going quite well and I'm sure i’ll likely be recommended to a therapist and move on. Should be a piece of cake, right? WRONG.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Here’s what actually happened:</strong></p>
<p>My doctor begins to scribble on his clipboard. I’m hysterical, and my mom is squeezing my hand telling me everything is going to be ok. My doctor has the nerve to ask me if I've ever considered going on a diet. Before I could say anything, he pulls out a syringe from his refrigerator and SHOVES IT IN HIS STOMACH. I REPEAT: IN HIS STOMACH. I am puzzled, my sister is puzzled, and we can’t believe what we just saw. He just injected his stomach with a syringe. I am now fuming, frustrated, and uncomfortable. I couldn't get a word out without being interrupted by him. I still have tears rolling down my cheeks. I’ve just opened up about something that I have been battling for years, and my doctor is sticking a needle in his stomach. He begins to exclaim how “just like that, you won’t be hungry for the rest of the day!” as if it was some miracle formula. The unfortunate part is that this isn't the first time this has happened. I’ve previously tried talking to other medical professionals about binge eating and I have always been directed towards the same crash diets and weight loss plans. I’ve done the diets, whether it was straight cabbage soup for a couple weeks or small chewable tablets that were considered “snacks”; nothing ever worked for me. The only thing that ever stuck around was poor eating habits and brutal self- image. I strongly believe that I was treated this way because of my weight. There is this form of stereotype and stigma when it comes to eating disorders and fat people, and it’s honestly one of the main reasons why I've kept quiet about mine for years. I just wasn't small enough, I just wasn't sick enough, I just wasn't enough. I’ve talked to a handful of other plus-size women who have suffered from a variety of mental health issues and eating disorders, and a lot of their stories were similar to mine. It’s frustrating to suffer in silence, and it makes it that much worse when the so-called “professionals” are invalidating your struggles and your sickness based off of the way you look. After my doctor put that syringe away, I collected up the courage to tell him exactly what I wanted. I was done with being told to sit down, be silent, and told to take up less space. I began seeing a therapist, worked on my triggers, and began re-learning my self worth. I’ve been on a journey towards self love for the past two or three years now, and it’s seriously changed the way I live my life, both mentally and physically. In today’s society, sometimes people will doubt you, and sometimes they won’t always believe you, merely based off of your appearance. But I am here to tell you, clichés and all, that it WILL get better. Sometimes, we have to learn to stand up for who we are as an individuals. I promise there are plenty of resources out there for folks struggling with mental health, eating disorders, body image, and more. I'd like to thank NEDIC for giving me this amazing platform to share my story, and I hope this resonates with you. I want you to know that no matter what you look like, your problems are valid, you are valid.</p>
<p>
Please note these piece was roginally published by Michelle for Revelist.</p>
<p>
<em>Michelle Rogers is a 20 year old writer, blogger, and body positivity activist. When she isn't writing final papers, she's creating content centred around all things plus fashion, body image, and eating disorders. Michelle has been featured in FabUplus Magazine, The Today Show, Revelist, and more. She has a passion for sharing her stories and struggles, and creating a connection with empowering and like-minded people across the globe.</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Social Media:</p>
<p>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bodyposipower/">https://www.instagram.com/bodyposipower/</a></p>
<p>Blog: <a href="https://bodyposipower.wordpress.com/">https://bodyposipower.wordpress.com/</a></p>
<p>Youtube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHoDFXYLVLs">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHoDFXYLVLs</a></p>
<p>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BodyPosiPower/">https://www.facebook.com/BodyPosiPower/</a></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-blog-categories field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Categories:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/blog-categories/body-image" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Body Image</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/blog-categories/ed-awareness" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">ED Awareness</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/blog-categories/perspectives" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Perspectives</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/blog-categories/recovery" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Recovery</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/blog-categories/self-acceptance" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Self Acceptance</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/blog-categories/self-identity" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Self-Identity</a></div></div></div>Tue, 06 Feb 2018 19:08:51 +0000nedic blogger1084 at http://nedic.caBreak the Mold. Turn Up Compassionhttp://nedic.ca/blog/break-mold-turn-compassion
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><img alt="large_rebecca.png" src="/sites/default/files//large_rebecca.png" style="height:180px; width:180px" /></p>
<p>One size does not fit all! Nothing in nature grows the same and neither do people. Humans have created ways to genetically modify nature to fit their mold. Some of the produce in stores are genetically modified to attract people to buy it. For example, tomatoes and corn are altered to have longer shelf life and look appealing. In a way, people are also transformed to fit a certain design. Means such as cosmetic surgery and fad diets are just two examples of the ways people try to transform their bodies. But who decides what the size and shape of a human body should look like or is the “best?”. If we look back through history, figures and body types that were “deemed attractive” have constantly shifted. For example, in the Victorian Era full-figured women and larger men were desired. While in the 1990s extremely thin was the standard of beauty. While today, muscular men are the ideal form. These are just a couple of examples of the way men and women's bodies have been shifted and fashioned to a social belief. Furthermore, eating disorders are also unique. Each person's struggle is different, for example, unhealthy views of our body, over exercise, restrictive eating, taboo foods or social food anxiety. Furthermore, the way individuals experience and live with eating disorders are exclusive.</p>
<p>Why do we let an unidentified voice tell us what we should or should not look like? Moreover, why do we listen? I feel it is important we hear our own internal voice. We need to work on quieting the sounds of judgement and turn up the sounds of kindness and understanding. The world is full of standards and expectations which can encourage us to place high expectations on ourselves. These expectations can make us feel a lot of internal pressure and stress. Quickly, our internal self-talk can become critical and negative. For example, “if I were a breast size bigger, I would be more attractive.” These thoughts are not helpful for our self-esteem and our health. How do we give ourselves compassion? We need to work towards changing our own harsh self-talk to one of compassion and love. When we think, “I look terrible today because my face is all puffy.” We can focus on parts of us that we do like or slightly change our language to something more positive. For example, “I may not feel comfortable with my face being puffy but my hair turned out great.” Another way to be compassionate is to ask ourselves, “would I speak to my friends and family the way I speak to myself”? Let us practice speaking to ourselves the same way we would speak to loved ones. Through the act of compassion we take back control of our feelings, behaviors, and bodies.</p>
<p>An unidentified voice is out there constantly telling us how to look and feel. If this voice was silenced, what voice would we have to listen to? So let us break free from standards and strive to love ourselves and the beautiful framework that make us who we are: unique and amazing!</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em>Rebecca Bates is a social worker at the Napanee Community Health Center and provides counselling services to family, couples, and individuals of all ages. Rebecca has practice working with clients and families struggling with mental health and difficult life issues, and regularly facilitates mental health and support groups and presents psychoeducational sessions. Rebecca provides a compassionate and supportive environment to help guide her clients to overcome obstacles and succeed in obtaining goals.</em></p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-blog-categories field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Categories:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/blog-categories/body-image" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Body Image</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/blog-categories/ed-awareness" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">ED Awareness</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/blog-categories/perspectives" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Perspectives</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/blog-categories/self-acceptance" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Self Acceptance</a></div></div></div>Mon, 05 Feb 2018 18:29:31 +0000nedic blogger1083 at http://nedic.caYour wardrobe, your rules and learning how to get rid of your ED clotheshttp://nedic.ca/blog/your-wardrobe-your-rules-and-learning-how-get-rid-your-ed-clothes
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><img alt="blog.jpg" src="/sites/default/files//blog.jpg" style="height:320px; width:213px" /></p>
<p>A big part of finding myself during my recovery was developing a personal style. I had always liked clothing, but had never really identified what I liked to wear. I knew I loved colour but I never knew where to shop for it and, more often than not, I was too scared to wear the things I liked because I feared the judgement I would or would not receive. Oh how times have changed. Now I dress for me and only me and I love every single item I own.</p>
<p>That being said, my wardrobe isn't very large. I don't have a lot of shoes and I only keep jewellery that holds sentimental value. I tend to wear the same special pieces regularly. I care about quality and not in the slightest about quantity, however I did, in the past, care an awful lot about 'size'. Building my wardrobe to what it is today was an incredible hurdle I had to face in my recovery – a hurdle that warriors must all face in recovery.</p>
<p>Every recovery warrior who has gone through (or is going through) weight restoration knows that letting go of 'ill' clothes is an extremely difficult and emotional task. 'Ill' clothes represent a huge part of our disease, and getting rid of them means coming to terms with the fact that our bodies are not meant to be so thin and unhealthy. All of this makes for a tough pill to swallow but I have some steps, tips and advice that may make this transition more pleasant.</p>
<p><strong>Your wardrobe, your rules.</strong></p>
<p>There is no right or wrong way to dress – both your style and your clothing are unique to you. Perhaps there are some rules. I mean, you wouldn’t wear a bikini in minus temperatures and you definitely wouldn’t wear a prom dress to the gym. But what's not a given is finding the style sets you apart and most importantly the style you like wearing. In order to wave goodbye to your 'ill clothes', you must first begin walking in the direction of your 'you clothes'.</p>
<p>The colours, the shape, the edginess, softness or brightness of your wardrobe. The time period you are inspired by and the fashion of that time genre. The current season and weather will play a vital role in your outfits too. Not to forget your job and your passions are both very major underlying factors of your wardrobe. Plus obviously where you live and the places you like to shop.</p>
<p>Take my wardrobe: I'm a dancer so you'll find that a large bulk of my wardrobe is leotards, tights, sports bras, hot pants, warm ups, joggers and dance 'branded' jumpers plus the obvious ballet, pointe, jazz and tap shoes. This part of my wardrobe has been created from my thriving passion for dancing and performing. I'm also a lover of art, patterns, embroidery, detailed designs and colour. I also am a sucker for vintage clothing and Chinese patterns. I guess this part of my wardrobe is what sets me apart.</p>
<p>As for an 'era' or time period I like to dress from, I don't think I have one. I do have, however, have several hidden gems – my vintage treasures.</p>
<p>My point here, is that there is no right or wrong way to be yourself and express that part of you. There is, however, a way to distance yourself from the clothes that defined you and your disease for so long. Find you. Dress that person. It’s your body after all!</p>
<p><strong>Cut but don't necessarily chuck.</strong></p>
<p>When I was ill and underweight, my favourite piece of clothing was a stunning Indian pattered dress, but it was tiny and I knew it would only fit me in my current skeletal frame at the time. As much as it annoyed me and hurt me, I knew that if I restored my weight it would no longer fit. When I wore that dress, I felt sexy, confident, and cool – I felt pretty. Reflecting on that very feeling, is strange. The dress gave me a “good enough” feeling – it was my reason to stay ill and stay skinny for. Crazy right?</p>
<p>My advice: don’t get rid of your ill clothes….completely. Repurpose it! I loved that dress because of its beautiful embroidered Indian patterns. So, my Mum made it into something else….</p>
<p>I know, I know, my Mum is a genius. She understood completely that in order for me to gain weight I needed to abolish all the clothes that would become too small for me, so that I would have no clothes to pull me back. She also understood how much I loved that dress and how genuinely happy the pattern made me feel. So we cut it and kept it, but not to wear. Instead, I used it to decorate my room. The same dress that once held me back from gaining weight now covers a cushion on my bedroom desk-chair on which I now place my very healthy weight restored bottom wearing my new weight restored clothes. </p>
<p><strong>Let the clothes express you but not hide you.</strong></p>
<p>Learn to dress to express and not to hide, cover or coat yourself. Dress for the day you want... make it joyful, make it colourful and make it teamed with accessories and quirky things that put your happiness and recovery in the limelight. You can wear what you like but always make sure that you are wearing what you like for the right reasons. If you love wearing your boyfriends’ jumper or baggy t-shirts, make sure you like wearing them because you generally like them, and not because they cover your thighs or bloated waist. Don't be scared to wear what you like. Don't feel the need to hide.</p>
<p>This also applies to your corsets and tight fitting clothing. Make sure you wear them because you damn well love them and not because you are trying to hide behind a mask, false identity or 'society ideal'. Wear it and wear it proud but only because you damn well like it.</p>
<p><strong>F*** sizes.</strong></p>
<p>You are not your size so don't stand there 'wearing your size'. Instead, stand there proud wearing nothing but your confidence. Buy clothes that are made for your body and don't worry about the size. No one is going to look at you and think 'I wonder what size that dress is'. No one thinks like that except your eating disorder mind – in reality, no one cares! And you shouldn’t either.</p>
<p>Just a little tester. What advertisement is more appealing to you?</p>
<p>A) "Frill Seeker Wanted: confident woman rocking clothes full of frills.”</p>
<p>B) "Frill seeker! Wanted: woman size 'X' wearing frilled clothes."</p>
<p>If you were to create an advertisement, which one would you send out? Which woman would you search for? If you ask me, I’d choose A). Why? Because confidence is key and size is meaningless.</p>
<p>Like I said, no one cares what size tag is on your top or trousers. So don't be afraid of letting go of the tag itself. Go on, you've earned it!</p>
<p><strong>No clothes, no problem.</strong></p>
<p>While this blog has been all about clothes and feeling confident and in love with your wardrobe, real confidence comes from appreciating and loving what’s underneath your clothing. If you can manage to love your true skin and the body that is you, you’ve done it. It’s a process no doubt, but it’s the best thing you can learn to do for yourself.</p>
<p>I say, practice strutting your stuff…naked. From your bathroom to your bedroom, bedroom to kitchen…what have you! Now as bonkers as this sounds and while you may only fit in 4 or 5 steps between rooms, it’s the most liberating feeling! This, for me, was what allowed me to embrace all that I am.</p>
<p>Which ending do you want to finish with? Woman meets dress... and inevitably falls head over heels for it? Or, woman meets self... and inevitably falls heart over head for herself?</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em>Author: Margherita Barbieri.</em></p>
<p><em>Website: <a href="http://www.itsalwaysmargi.com">www.itsalwaysmargi.com</a></em></p>
<p><em>Instagram: @alwaysmargi</em></p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-blog-categories field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Categories:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/blog-categories/perspectives" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Perspectives</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/blog-categories/recovery" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Recovery</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/blog-categories/self-acceptance" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Self Acceptance</a></div></div></div>Sat, 03 Feb 2018 15:11:52 +0000nedic blogger1081 at http://nedic.caLanguage of Recoveryhttp://nedic.ca/blog/language-recovery
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><img alt="Feb2.png" src="/sites/default/files//Feb2.png" style="height:517px; width:780px" /></p>
<p>Photo bySam MannsonUnsplash</p>
<p>Ten years ago I began to see signs in a different language–signs that I ignored. However, even though I disregarded them, they persisted in ever growing intensity. Was I a traveler exploring this vast world of ours? No. I was just a mom who held down a part time job while homeschooling my two daughters full time. So, what were these foreign signs? They were the signs of my youngest daughter’s journey down the rabbit hole we call eating disorders.</p>
<p>My journey with my daughter was lonely, terrifying, exhausting, and life changing. Ten years after its onset I can say it was the hardest thing I have ever done, yet it shaped me into the person I am today.</p>
<p>Rachel was eleven when her eating disorder manifested. She was diagnosed at twelve years old - she was 5 feet 7 inches and weighed 77 pounds. She didn’t present as having a typical eating disorder and because of the lack of understanding of eating disorders by her primary care physician it took time and research to get her treatment. Eventually she was re-fed over eight and half weeks at McMaster Hospital in Hamilton. Rachel struggled hard after she was refed. For years she was consumed with thoughts that I was poisoning her. Each meal was a battle. Though she knew on some level that food was medicine, she couldn’t help but continue to think that it was also poison. In concert with the eating disorder thoughts, she was plagued with suicidal ideation. She was unable to function socially and academically, and was unable to go to the high school she loved. She became utterly entrenched in her eating disorder.</p>
<p>After four years of struggling, and coming to the end of the resources at McMaster, Rachel came to the realization that residential care was the only way she was going to get better. At sixteen, she bravely signed the papers and was given the opportunity to receive care at Avalon Hills in Utah. With the very hard work she did at Avalon and the follow up care at McMaster and CMHA, Rachel obtained her high school diploma and graduated as the Valedictorian. She is now twenty-one, a third year university student on exchange in England studying Film, and feeding her passion for medieval history. Rachel is one of the 20 to 30 percent1 of eating disorder warriors who are fully recovered.</p>
<p>Through Rachel’s journey I learned to read the signs of her eating disorder: the sneer of rage and utter defiance, the tears of desperation, the cry of anger and frustration, the fear of medical tests, and the terror of medication side effects. Yet over time I also was able to read the signs of recovery: the yearning to get on with life, the dedication to make a difference, and the deep seated determination to change.</p>
<p>Learning a new language takes time and lots of trial and error. My actions and my emotional displays at the beginning of the eating disorder only entrenched it further. My daughter was terrified and angry and she needed me to be something more - she needed me to be her emotional rock. In time I was able to be that. But it took time. When I dropped Rachel off at Avalon, it physically hurt to leave her there and drive to the airport. It was the absolute hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life. Yet, it was the very best thing that could have happened to her, to me, and to our relationship. While she was at Avalon I was able to step back from battling for her life. I learned to walk beside her (and not for her) and be a supportive and loving mom. I wrote to her every day. Some days, my emails to her were over ten pages long. Every day I sent hope, encouragement, and my love as we both healed and made the changes necessary for her to live the life she dreamed of.</p>
<p>The pieces of language that transcended life before, during, and after the eating disorder were hope and belief in my daughter’s ability to make it through, to make a difference, and to succeed at whatever she chose to put her heart to. Hope and faith are what made the difference - they were the wind under her wings at all times during her recovery journey.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><em>Techiya Loewen is a mental health advocate/family peer supporter/administrator. Through the week she works as an administrator in a family health team. In her personal/professional life she supports parents with children with eating disorders by providing one-on-one support and facilitating a monthly drop in support group in Hamilton, ON. Techiya supported her daughter through her eating disorder journey and assisted her daughter with her charity work in providing random acts of kindness gifts to children on the children in McMaster and Grand River Hospital. In 2015 Techiya and Rachel ran an evening program for parents and eating disordered patients at McMaster from which the monthly support group was developed. Techiya can be reached at <a href="mailto:hope4teatingdisorders@gmail.com">hope4teatingdisorders@gmail.com</a>.</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p>1Roberts. (2016, March). Lecture: Eating Disorders, Brescia University College.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-blog-categories field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Categories:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/blog-categories/coping" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Coping</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/blog-categories/ed-awareness" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">ED Awareness</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/blog-categories/perspectives" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Perspectives</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/blog-categories/recovery" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Recovery</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/blog-categories/self-acceptance" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Self Acceptance</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/blog-categories/self-identity" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Self-Identity</a></div></div></div>Fri, 02 Feb 2018 15:20:58 +0000nedic blogger1080 at http://nedic.caCultivating Freedom and Inner Peacehttp://nedic.ca/blog/cultivating-freedom-and-inner-peace
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p> <img alt="image1.png" src="/sites/default/files//image1.png" style="height:426px; width:598px" /></p>
<p>Identity is such a hard concept to grasp. Who are we? Why are we here? What defines us? What defines me? </p>
<p>What defined me for so long was a debilitating illness known as anorexia. Anorexia was me. I was anorexia. That was my identity. </p>
<p>I was enrolled in gymnastics at a young age. This sport became a part of my identity. It involved long hours training and working towards infinite goals I set for myself. It always seemed like I was never doing enough. Jealousy of my teammates’ natural talents consumed me - their bodies, their six packs….I wanted what they had. </p>
<p>A desire to get smaller and more toned left me feeling weak and depressed. But then gymnastics became a thing of the past and again, I was left feeling confused about who I was. My eating disorder seemed to take over. </p>
<p>One of the most challenging aspects of my recovery was letting go of my eating disorder. Without it, I felt like I had nothing, I felt like I was nothing. In the beginning stages of my recovery, I tried so hard to go back to who I was before my eating disorder. But I realized that girl was in the past and that I couldn’t be her again. I had to recreate myself. I deserved that - I was worthy of a rebirth, I didn’t deserve pain and hurt. </p>
<p>I began trying new things. Swimming, writing, spending time with different people, coloring… I was determined to break free of the chains of my eating disorder and start fresh. I was determined to break free of this disease. </p>
<p>The thing about humans is we are constantly evolving. We are dynamic creatures. I now feel more in control of my life. The years I spent building myself up, tapping into my inner strengths, and letting go of what wasn’t serving me went a long way. Doing this was my awakening. </p>
<p>Who am I now? </p>
<p>My name is Alyssa. I am 20 years old, soon to be 21. I am a Sagittarius with a fiery spirit and a passionate heart. I am an empath. Yoga makes me feel alive. Nature and music are my medicine. Laughter fills my soul. Human connection makes my heart warm. I am a writer, an adventurer, a free spirit. I am enough. I have always been enough. I am not my past pain, my wounds. I am not my mistakes. I am not the girl that was capable of producing a river of tears. I am not the girl that was terrified to look back at her reflection in the mirror. My name is Alyssa, and I am constantly growing… like a tree with my roots buried deep inthe soil, my branches keep sprouting further into the light, bringing peace and compassion everywhere I go. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><em>Alyssa, aka Lyss, is a college junior studying psychology. Yoga holds a very important place in her heart - she has her teaching certification and its practice has changed her life for the better. She is an anorexia survivor and is currently working to break the stigma around this illness and other mental illnesses. <a href="http://www.blissful-lyss.com/">http://www.blissful-lyss.com/</a> </em></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-blog-categories field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Categories:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/blog-categories/perspectives" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Perspectives</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/blog-categories/recovery" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Recovery</a></div></div></div>Mon, 29 Jan 2018 15:17:07 +0000nedic blogger1077 at http://nedic.caRecoverED and Datinghttp://nedic.ca/blog/recovered-and-dating
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><img alt="Webp.net-resizeimage_1.jpg" src="/sites/default/files//Webp.net-resizeimage_1.jpg" style="height:384px; width:576px" /></p>
<p>Photo by Cooper Smith on Unsplash</p>
<p>Starting my recovery was the hardest decision I ever made, but I was thankful to have a supportive and trusting person by my side. My partner was the first person I ever opened up to about my eating disorder. Before them, like many, I was very secretive and ashamed of my disorder. Recently, that relationship has ended and as hard as it has been, re-entering the dating world has proven to be even more difficult.</p>
<p>I find the concept of dating awkward and uncomfortable, regardless of mental health concerns. It’s putting myself on display and hoping that the other person likes what they see and hear, while evaluating them in the same way. In a way, dating encompasses everything I tried to avoid through my eating disorder: judgement, evaluations, and being open and honest about my feelings. I have been told many times that I don’t “look like I have an eating disorder” which is a statement that is full of oppressive and stigmatized connotations. Opening up about my disorder has provided me with so much empowerment, but there is always a fear that lingers about disclosing within new relationships. A fear of disclosing too soon, or that the person will belittle me, not understand, or no longer be interested. At the same time, if I want to show this person my best self, that includes showing my strength in being open and honest about my past.</p>
<p>Going from having a partner who knew everything, to trying to open up to a new possible partner about such a personal topic as my disorder has been hard. Society often stigmatizes eating disorders and makes it so incredibly difficult to open up to people. My old fears of being judged, which were one of the factors in the development of my eating disorder, are suddenly rushing back. A part of me wants to avoid dating altogether and just keep my recovery to myself. However, another part of me, the part that I have spent so long rebuilding in recovery, knows how beneficial it is to have support and to be open about my disorder. Not only for myself, but to help keep the conversation going surrounding eating disorders in general.</p>
<p>So here I am. Telling myself to hold on to my recovery tools, remembering the power that positive relationships have in my life, and refusing to hide away my disorder have not been easy. However, along the way I have found a few new tips that have helped me prevent dating from derailing my recovery, and continue with my maintenance:</p>
<p>First, recognizing the power of openness and honesty. In recovery they tell you how being secretive is not beneficial, and for me I have found that truth both in being honest with others and myself. Sharing about my triggers, history, and disorder has created strength within me, but also within my relationships. There is always a risk when you open up, but also incredible strength. Although everyone’s experience is different, for me opening up has allowed me to take the power back from my eating disorder. I am no longer confined by my disorder, but finally able to break free from it emotionally. Rather than distancing myself from my family, friends and relationships, opening up has allowed me to create stronger bonds than ever before.</p>
<p>Although some people may struggle with the information, and react in negative ways, knowing how they feel has given me more insight into the capacity I want them in my life. As well, by opening up, even if it doesn’t go as planned, I am being true to myself and continuing the conversation around eating disorders rather than feeding into the stigma and hiding. Which in itself can be very empowering.</p>
<p>Second, being honest with myself and mindful about my feelings. Being mindful about how situations (and people) are affecting me and remembering to take care of myself when needed. If there is anything I have learned about relationships throughout my recovery it is that I cannot connect with another person and their feelings unless I first make myself a priority. For this reason, during my journey into dating this time around I am finding myself paying more attention to what I want rather than trying to please and be accepted by everyone else. Even though this is making dating more difficult, hopefully it will also lead to a rewarding experience.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><em>Bio: Alicia is a Social Service Worker graduate and current 4th year Bachelor of Social Work student at York University. They are a genderqueer individual who previously struggled with bulimia and restriction. They are currently researching eating disorders within the trans community and volunteer with the National Eating Disorder Information Centre and Project Heal.</em></p>
<p> </p>
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</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-blog-categories field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Categories:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/blog-categories/coping" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Coping</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/blog-categories/perspectives" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Perspectives</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/blog-categories/recovery" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Recovery</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/blog-categories/self-acceptance" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Self Acceptance</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/blog-categories/self-identity" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Self-Identity</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/blog-categories/uncategorized" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Uncategorized</a></div></div></div>Fri, 12 Jan 2018 16:36:13 +0000nedic blogger1073 at http://nedic.caLooking back on recovery: escalators and roller coastershttp://nedic.ca/blog/looking-back-recovery-escalators-and-roller-coasters
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><img alt="roller_coaster_edit_2_by_0llril-d5nzsxj.jpg" src="/sites/default/files//roller_coaster_edit_2_by_0llril-d5nzsxj.jpg" style="height:450px; width:600px" /></p>
<p>When I started eating disorder recovery five years ago, I thought—or, really, hoped—it would be like an escalator. You hop on, and whoosh, straight up from there. You decide to recover, then you do it, then you’ve done it. Simple.</p>
<p>That’s not quite how it went.</p>
<p>Today, I feel good. Strong. If not confident, at least less unconfident. Disordered thoughts are few and far between.</p>
<p>But recovery, as I know now, isn’t an escalator. It’s a roller coaster. It loops. It twists. It’s wild. It’s beautiful, too. But when you’re in the middle of it, it can feel impossible to see where you’re going.</p>
<p>Looking back on it today, I can see the journey clearer. I see it in snapshots, days and moments and years.</p>
<p>I see it like this.</p>
<p><strong>2013: Resistant</strong><br />
I made appointments with therapists. Nutritionists. Psychiatrists. Appointments I usually kept, but never meant. In these appointments I was like a first-year law student, overconfident and argumentative, shouting medically unsound opinions like I’m fine and I don’t need your help. My nutritionist—not the one who asked if my amenorrhea was because of pregnancy, the other one—told me I wasn’t trying. She was right.</p>
<p><strong>2014: Tentative</strong><br />
My graduation day was rainy and brilliant. It helped that my baggy graduation gown hid my growing discomfort with my growing belly. It helped that the night before, I split a pizza with my friends and felt—stunner—no guilt. It helped that I no longer saw my doctor every two months for a what-have- you-done- now check-in. It helped that I was trying, and after months of discomfort and fear, it was working, mostly.</p>
<p><strong>2015: Anxious</strong><br />
I moved to Chicago for a job. I worried about exercising. I worried about worrying about exercising. I worried about not worrying about exercising. I worried a lot. When I finally made an appointment with a new GP for a physical, I hadn’t weighed myself in two years. I held my breath while she did it. It was fine. It was fine.<br />
I freaked out for a week, is how fine it was. After that, I turned my back during each weigh. This, to my surprise, actually was fine.</p>
<p><strong>2016: Soaring</strong><br />
I ran a half-marathon and didn’t think about calories once. I was weight-restored and powerful. I felt like Icarus flashing two middle fingers at the sun: you thought I was gonna burn, well, watch this buddy, my wings are fiberglass and I’m 30,000 feet up. After the race, I ate the biggest plate of pasta you’ve ever seen. Before, I’d have worried about that. I’d have gotten out of bed and paced my panic out on the bedroom floor. This time, I fell asleep on the couch. When I woke, my thighs ached, but my mind was clear.</p>
<p><strong>Today: Steady</strong><br />
It’s not perfect. Right now, a voice in my head is whispering that if my belly didn’t do that thing—you know, the thing it does—I’d be better. A better student. A better writer. A better friend. Happier. But the voice and I have reached an understanding. I know the voice is a liar. The voice knows it’s talking against the tide. And that, honestly, feels like enough for now.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em>Allison Epstein is a graduate student in Northwestern University’s MFA in creative writing program. A Chicago-based freelance writer, she is a former editor of the body justice website Adios Barbie. Her fiction has been published in journals including Pantheon, Metaphorosis, Fantasia Divinity, and others. Other interests include musical theater, chai, and TV historical dramas. Find her work at <a href="http://www.allisonepstein.contently.com">http://www.allisonepstein.contently.com</a>.</em></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-blog-categories field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Categories:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/blog-categories/perspectives" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Perspectives</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/blog-categories/recovery" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Recovery</a></div></div></div>Fri, 05 Jan 2018 19:52:54 +0000nedic blogger1072 at http://nedic.caRecovery during the holidays - Support for Trans Peoplehttp://nedic.ca/blog/recovery-during-holidays-support-trans-people
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><img alt="Blog Picture.jpg" src="/sites/default/files//Blog%20Picture.jpg" style="height:800px; width:600px" /></p>
<p>The holidays present a lot of challenges for people with eating disorders. Not only is there a heavy focus on food, body image, and “healthy” new year’s resolutions, but often there are interactions with distant family members or friends—people you don’t necessarily see on a weekly or monthly basis.</p>
<p>This doesn’t affect me as much anymore, but seeing distant relatives used to be a trigger for me because many of them didn’t know about my gender identity.</p>
<p>As a genderqueer person, seeing anyone who isn’t involved in my daily life can be challenging. Genderqueer, to me, means that I do not fit inside the binary system of gender; I am neither male nor female. I use they/them pronouns, dress in a mostly androgynous fashion (because it’s my favorite, not because genderqueer people need to), and have changed my name.</p>
<p>Many of the people that don’t see me daily, or don’t keep up with my life regularly, still view me as female, or associate me with my birthname and female pronouns. This is exceptionally challenging because of the heavy interaction between my eating disorder and my gender. When people identify me as female, or use female pronouns/my birthname, I tend to feel higher urges for eating disorder behaviors.</p>
<p>Most of the people in my life respect who I am now, and for that I’m both grateful and lucky. However, when I was going through holiday seasons without being vocal about my gender, it was challenging to maintain my recovery. I didn’t want people to perceive my body as female, so I was drawn to eating disorder behaviors to prevent that.</p>
<p>Now that I’m stable in both my identity and recovery, the holidays are much easier for me. However, this isn’t true of all transgender people in recovery. A lot of transgender people don’t have the luxury that I do of being out, or being in a safe enough situation to be out, which can promote the use of behaviors in order to cope.</p>
<p>This holiday season, if you have a transgender friend or relative in recovery, show them some extra support. Respect their wishes as to what they want to be called and what pronouns they want to use during the holidays. Actively show them that you care about them, support them, and will help them make it through the season.</p>
<p>If you are a transgender person in recovery going into the holiday season, remember that it will pass. You deserve to be nourished, regardless of what the people around you think of who you are. Even if they fail to recognize the person you are now, you recognize it, and you have the support of the recovery community. You aren’t in this alone. Be kind to yourself.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em>Ash is a recent college graduate with a degree in international business. They are a passionate advocate for mental health and gender nonconforming people, both as individual topics and as intersecting topics. Ash works to decrease stigma through writing about their personal experiences.</em></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-blog-categories field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Categories:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/blog-categories/perspectives" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Perspectives</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/blog-categories/recovery" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Recovery</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/blog-categories/self-identity" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Self-Identity</a></div></div></div>Fri, 22 Dec 2017 21:55:32 +0000nedic support1071 at http://nedic.caDaddy's little girl has an eating disorderhttp://nedic.ca/blog/daddys-little-girl-has-eating-disorder
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><img alt="20170821_182347.jpg" src="/sites/default/files//20170821_182347.jpg" style="height:800px; width:600px" /></p>
<p><strong>TRIGGER WARNING</strong>: the following material may be triggering for some individuals – please read with caution.</p>
<p>I was always my daddy’s little girl. I would watch Coronation Street and Seinfeld with him on Sunday mornings as a child, and curl up in his lap. I didn’t understand the humor in these shows or why my dad liked them so much but still I sat with him – I didn’t inch for the remote or distract him.</p>
<p>I was 6 when my parents got divorced. And as the three of us sat in our living room, with my mom on one couch with me and my dad on the other, I remember my mom telling my dad what the living arrangements would be like. I was to live with her full-time and only see my dad once every other weekend. Upon hearing this news, I also remember getting off my mom’s lap, walking over to my dad, hopping onto his and stating how that arrangement would simply not do. Instead, I wanted to go back and forth between my mom and my dad every other week. To this day, both my dad and I look back on this memory with pride. </p>
<p>As the years went on, however, my relationship with my dad suffered. Though he always remained there for me, it was for whatever reason, that a divide came between us. The distance that had once been so small grew to the point that neither of us felt we could trust each other. I had my rebellious years where I know I was to blame for many things and no parent is perfect. We each had our faults but what I blame the most for our dwindling relationship is my eating disorder.</p>
<p>In its beginning phases, my dad instantly knew something was wrong. I went to Montreal on a school trip and came back with laxatives. I would come home early from school and raid our refrigerator – even when I told my dad that I had eaten what I did, he still believed that I fed the copious amount of food to our dog. I would go days without packing a lunch for work and school, and then, when I did, he questioned me and convinced himself that I was bringing food for someone else. Whether or not I was being honest with my dad, he had reason to worry and suspect that I was lying to him. Because let’s face it, I had lied to him before. He saw the tell-tale signs of some form of disordered eating but he didn’t know enough about eating disorders to confront me about it. He also didn’t have the support to get me the help I needed at the time that it was most critical. To this day, he’ll tell me that if only he had the support at the time, he would’ve put me into a treatment program when I was still legally a child. He says this as if no inner motivation is required to tackle something as big as recovery. At the time he wanted me to get help, I was in no place mentally or emotionally to even acknowledge that I had an eating disorder, let alone give someone permission to pick my brain and “help” me. But I don’t blame him for overlooking that motivation because he was desperate – a feeling that I’m sure every parent of a child affected by an eating disorder experiences.</p>
<p>It’s sad really. And writing this years later is no easier than it was going through it at the time. The thing about eating disorders is, they make you lie and hide things about yourself that you fear others will see and judge you for. They turn you into a person that acts impulsively. They make you do things that you know are wrong but you do them anyways because, in the grand scheme of things, nothing bad you do is AS BAD as the pain and self-rejection you’re already experiencing. Worst of all, they make you believe that your behaviours and ideations are okay – what you’re doing to yourself is your way of taking ownership of your body and your life, and as long as you’re not hurting anybody, you’re doing nothing wrong. AS IF!</p>
<p>What I failed to recognize, years ago, was how much of a toll my eating disorder was having on my dad. I commend him for doing everything he has – his reactions may not have always been the most appropriate, he may not have always said what I needed to hear, but he always did what he thought was best. And that’s all I could have asked for. He’s gotten counselling and tried to understand me (God help him!) and has made several attempts to talk to me about what I have and continue to go through. And I can only thank him.</p>
<p>I wrote this blog for one particular reason and everything I’ve thus far talked about leads up this moment and significant it was for me – in my life, recovery and relationship with my dad. The other day, I came home from work and found my dad sitting on the couch. Sitting on the stool beside our front door was a book bag from Indigo and, in curiosity, I asked my dad to see what he had purchased. To my surprise, it was a guide for parents with children affected by eating disorders. My heart flooded with all sorts of emotions. Amidst the sadness and pain I felt for my dad, it meant so much that, even after all these years, he hadn’t given up on me and that he was still trying to understand me.</p>
<p>To all parents trying to navigate their child’s eating disorder and recovery, do not give up on trying to support your child. Speaking as one of those children, despite our constant push back, there is a small part of us that is thankful for your continuous support and unconditional love. We know it’s not easy and we know you’re doing the best you can with the tools you have available to you.</p>
<p>To my dad, you’re the only person that has known about my eating disorder before I was willing and even able to acknowledge it myself. There’s a lot more that I can say to you and about you to praise your efforts to help me but I’ll save that for one of my sentimental Christmas or Birthday Cards. Just know that I love you.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em>Tara Fiodorowicz, a graduate of Humber College’s Mental Heather and Addictions program, is the Blog Coordinator at NEDIC. Still on her journey to recovery, Tara is a firm believer in the power of connection and positive reinforcement in the recovery process and advocates for all who have been affected by mental health and addiction concerns. She is currently trying to pursue a Master’s program and career in Social Work – she wants to explore what it means to recover from an eating disorder and contribute to the field, a perspective that highlights harm reduction and the different avenues to recovery. She wants to contribute to, and develop, the branch of care that enhances quality of life and well-being as it is too, a form of recovery. She is passionate about delivering holistic, client-centered, gender-based, and culturally relevant support to people debilitated by oppressable components of their identity. Contact Tara at <a href="mailto:tarafiodorowiczq1w2@gmail.com">tarafiodorowiczq1w2@gmail.com</a>.</em></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-blog-categories field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Categories:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/blog-categories/coping" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Coping</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/blog-categories/perspectives" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Perspectives</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/blog-categories/recovery" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Recovery</a></div></div></div>Fri, 15 Dec 2017 18:18:02 +0000nedic support1069 at http://nedic.caWhat IDPD means to mehttp://nedic.ca/blog/what-idpd-means-me
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><img alt="k.jpg" src="/sites/default/files//k.jpg" style="height:603px; width:600px" /></p>
<p>In honor of International Day of Persons with Disabilities, I’d like to share with you the story of someone very important to me and why I recognize not only this day, but every other day, as a day to celebrate the inclusion of persons with disabilities. I must preface this blog with a “bear with me” as I am quite passionate about this subject and indebted to its content.</p>
<p>My brother was born with Cerebral Palsy.</p>
<p>For those who are unaware, CP is a neurological disorder that is very hard to place on a definitive spectrum but is generally defined as a malformation that occurs during the early stages of development that can affect both body movement and muscle coordination. In my brother’s case, doctors expressed that he might never be able to walk, talk, express himself or maintain a healthy weight due to inactivity. He, however, is now 27 years old, and though he may have the mental capacity of a 3 year old, his abilities have amounted to more than what doctors had predicted. He wears a diaper, can say a few words and count to ten, needs some assistance to walk because of muscular and bone development issues, and is certainly not overweight. And, on top of all that, I must say that he is seemingly the happiest person I know!</p>
<p>I cannot continue my story without briefing you on what the journey has been like for my mom and I, as we have participated in my brother’s development and life transitions. For some time now, my brother has been living in “group homes.” Why? Well, it was hard for my mom as a single, working parent. From a young age, my brother has had a stringent medication schedule, and has had the need to be frequently exercised so as to avoid bone breakage and muscle deterioration. He needed someone there at all times and my mom wasn’t able to be that person. She owned her own business, had a second child in school and struggled as is to attend to her own needs and self-care. What people often don’t understand about families and parents with children with disabilities, is that it is extremely difficult to navigate your child’s day-to-day experiences while ensuring that their care is optimal and beneficial to them. The truth is, my mom needed support and group homes gave her the reassurance that my brother was in the best care and attended to by professionals with only his best interests in mind. </p>
<p>My brother began living in his “childhood home” at an age that I can’t even recall, and remained there up until just a few years ago. This was his second home – his second family. There, his family consisted of other kids like him, his personal care workers, and supports who worked around the clock who acted as parental figures. The families of all the children in the home were connected with each other – we were a family of families per say. The kids all went to school together, participated in various activities together – all of this made for incredible social and physical strides in my brothers’ growth. Unfortunately, a time had come when those in charge decided that it was no longer acceptable for my brother to take up a space in a home – they said he was old enough and that, because he was no longer benefitting from the school system, that he should be transferred into a day program. He was bounced around from home to home, program to program – no one seemed to care what this was doing to him. It is only because of my mother, the advocate, that my brother has been able to assume a space in a group home to this day. My family saw the difference it made for my brother so it goes without saying that a group home was the best place for my brother to be.</p>
<p>My reasons for pursing an education and career in program/policy development stems a lot from the abovementioned circumstances and my family’s experience with group homes and similar organizations working to support individuals with disabilities. I genuinely believe that an evaluation needs to be done in regards to the functioning of group homes, the requirements to be met for clients to continue their residence, and also, our society as a whole. I believe there needs to be a more in depth understanding of the impact disability has on everyone affected by it and the importance of services and resources to fill in the gaps that families made not be able to.</p>
<p>In my opinion, two things need to change within these healthcare and community settings. The first is the treatment and management of those with disabilities. And the second, is the need to increase accessibility for this population. In reference to the former, there are a lot of people who don’t understand disability when they see it and thus, don’t know how to react to it when in its company. I can vividly recall childhood trips to the grocery store where my brother, in all his glory, would self-stim – he would make noises, rock back and forth, clap his hands and shake his head. These repetitive behaviours counteracted the overwhelming sensory environment and alleviated some of the excitement that my brother was experiencing. Of course, I knew this because it was my responsibility to become familiar with these behaviours. But as a child in a grocery store overhearing the snickering comments of other children asking “mommy what is wrong with him” and parents abruptly answering, “he just has a problem, don’t stare,” I was offended. Despite now knowing these comments were unlikely grounded in lack of respect, I still believe that there could have been a different way of responding, a way that shed light on the diversity of people and the need to refrain from casting judgement on those whose stories we do not know. Though I am not yet a parent and cannot speak to the demands of a child’s innocent inquiries, I do believe that parents have the responsibility to educate their children and instill in them, a sense of progressiveness and appreciation for those exhibiting qualities contrary to society’s norms. </p>
<p>Moving onto the second, there is undoubtedly a need for the city to update the physical environment of its businesses, storefronts and other localities. There should also be accessible bathrooms and change rooms in many more locations than there are. I’ve been lucky enough to speak with other individuals, and families supporting those, with Cerebral Palsy and other physical disabilities. And what I’ve found is that, in many settings, wheelchairs are not accommodated for and adult changing facilities are non-existent. I will never forget a story that I heard of someone needing to bring their wheel-chair bound sister across an entire park to use the bathroom before entering the pool facilities because there was no wheelchair ramp to, or changing tables in, the closest washroom. And, to top it off, there was no lift or ramp to assist her in entering the pool.</p>
<p>To conclude, I genuinely believe that there is a need to educate and develop a cultured understanding of what it means to have or live with someone with a disability. And, more societally, increase awareness of the programs, policies and societal structures that affect this population of individuals. With all of that being said, I’d like to leave you with a quote that has become near and dear to my heart and story</p>
<p>"Let us work together for the full and equal participation of persons with disabilities in an inclusive and sustainable world that embraces humanity in all its diversity." - Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon</p>
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<p><em>Cat Delaney is a graduate from the University of Guelph with an honours degree in sociology and political science. She has always had an interest in human interaction and the ways in which policy or programs affect them. Her future aspirations include getting into a Master’s program for Critical Disability Studies, Public Service or Applied Politics and pursuing a career in institutional policy or program development to support those communities and individuals with disabilities. As someone with a family member with a severe disability, she has recognized the several ways institutions are deficient in their programing, and how organizations and companies can make changes to aid in accessibility and occupational safety. </em></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-blog-categories field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Categories:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/blog-categories/coping" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Coping</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/blog-categories/perspectives" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Perspectives</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/blog-categories/uncategorized" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Uncategorized</a></div></div></div>Fri, 08 Dec 2017 22:11:58 +0000nedic support1068 at http://nedic.ca